“…only to fear God….” Moses tells us. (Deuteronomy 10:12). Could it be that simple?

Maybe it depends on what “fear” means to you.

Moses is definitely not suggesting that we go through life trembling—actually the opposite. The Hebrew word is “yira” and is sometimes translated as fear and other times as awe or reverence.

Either way, it seems that the answer is awareness or mindfulness regarding God’s presence in our lives.

If only each person did make awareness of God’s presence a pronounced part of their consciousness.

Would anything be different in our world if there was that awareness?

Is there anything, large or small, that any individual can do to help bring about that awareness?

Our Shabbat Torah Study resumes this Shabbat when we will learn with Jodi Gross who tells us, “The entire Parasha seems to be Moses reminding the Israelites of all that G-d has done for them in Egypt and in the desert. When they arrive in the Promised Land, they should not forget what G-d has done for them.” Come learn with Jodi Gross about “The Power of Remembering.”

9:45 a.m. in the Shiffman Chapel. Come as you are. Stay as long as you like.

Shabbat Shalom,

Paul

I dedicate this week’s Torah note to the memory of my father, Bennie A. Magy, Bentziyon ben Avraham v’Elke z”l whose Yahrzeit begins this evening, the 22nd of Av. Yirat Shamayim was a value he taught me. The memory of the intensity of his davening remains with me as does his meda of Ahavat Yisrael.